Captain James Gaston M.C., Royal Army Medical Corps

Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 1918, Captain James Gaston M.C., Royal Army Medical Corps, died from wounds received in action.

Educated at the Ballymena Academy, Queen’s College in Belfast, and the Royal University of Ireland, he set up a medical practice in Cloughmills, Country Antrim, and later moved to Durham, where his practice was extensive.

Captain Gaston joined the army in December of 1914 and arrived in France the following March. He served with the West Riding Field Ambulance, then was attached as Medical Officer to the 5th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. In September of 1916 he was seriously wounded and sent home to recuperate until January of 1917, when he was attached to the 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

In April of 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross, the citation for which reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attended the wounded of five other units besides his own throughout the day. The next day he led a party out in front and recovered twelve more wounded who were lying out. Throughout he set a splendid example to all.”

Captain Gaston was grievously wounded again in November of 1918, and passed away two days later. He is buried in the Arras Road Cemetery at Roclincourt in France, and is remembered on a commemorative headstone in the First Kilmurris Presbyterian Churchyard.